Tape Measure Question

Mike Finley

Why do the hooks on the end of tape measures have play in them? I have checked 10 different brands and they all have hooks with play. Am I missing something here?

DecksEtc

Just to bug you?

ron schenker

I've never seen one that didn't have play. Interesting question

Speedy Petey

It's for internal and external measurements.

If you measure the inside of an 8' room, then go out and cut an 8' board, without the slight play the board would be short the thickness of the hook.

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Blackhawk

it allows for the thickness of that hook so when u butt up or hook u get the same measurement..

Tom R

Correct, - - the amount of 'play' is EXACTLY the same as the 'thickness' of the clip.

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slickshift

Yes sometimes you hook and pull the end
And sometimes you butt and push the end

With the H&P, the play lines the actual end of the tape up to the end of the piece for an accurate measurement

With the B&P, the play pushes the actual tape to the other piece for an accurate measurement

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

MinConst

I must say Mike I'm surprised.
Don't let your tape snap back in the case or the space will grow.

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Paul
Minichillo's Construction
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IHI

Mikey, these guys are all full of it and leading you down the wrong path.

Tape measures are an approved OSHA safety device when your forced to work more than 6' above ground. Hook your tape onto something and should you fall it has slack (like a lanyard) to cushion yer fall!!

Ever notice how your helpers tape measure always reads differently than yours? and it's always SHORTER than what you called out, their tapes must be too new yet and not have enough free play in the end....or maybe mines just worn out?? LOL

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AAPaint

Boy...I learn something every day here! Just yesterday I was thinking "dangit, the little tab on my trusty fat max is loose, now I'll get bad measurements" I had no idea what-so-ever that's why it was loose. The slack on all my old ones I attributed to the fact they were cheap!

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AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
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Mike Finley

Okay Duh. I have a legitimate excuse, I have a college degree.

Mike Finley

AA I was under the exact same impression. The only reason I brought this up was my good old beat to hell tape measure finally got put to sleep, so I have been looking around for a couple of new ones. I figured okay it's time for a really good one now, no more el cheapo's. Everyone I looked at the hook dances around, I'm thinking what do you have to spend on one for it to be made well?? LOL!

Nick H

Its a real shame you didn't ask the guys in the tool shop, now i'd liked to have been a fly on the wall for that one LOL

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theworx

I figured okay it's time for a really good one now, no more el cheapo's. Everyone I looked at the hook dances around, I'm thinking what do you have to spend on one for it to be made well?? LOL![/QUOTE]

You don't have to spend a bunch. Lufkin has been my choice for years. Although I go through 3 or 4 a year (with the heavy drywall work I do, they wear out pretty fast). I also do a lot of millwork and finishing and find them quite accurate. Why spend $30.00 on a tape that will last you just as long as the Lufkin I get for $10.00 at HD. If questioning the play in the end of your tape, burn an inch, but just remember you burnt an inch in your measurement when you go to cut your material (have blown major brain farts on that in the past) !!

IHI

I always do this for my finsih work since it makes the miters exact, and am lucky I have never had a brain fart and wasted hundreds of dollars in trim over the yrs

man does that suck!!!!

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nadonailer

I like those Stanley Fat Max tapes, 11 foot standout! Nice and sturdy. I just picked up a new one at Costco for $17 too!! Oh and yeah the hook is s'posed to slide, c'mon college guys!!

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IHI

I'm on board with nadonailer, bought a fatty max yrs ago and now I cus whenever I'm forced to use the old school limp skinney tapes These babies are tough-almost too stiff sometimes as I had a guy step on my outstretched tape and it cracked right down the center of the tape itself, but other than that it's taken a ton of abuse.

After doing jobs which require the use of a stiff tape like layout, siding, roofing, etc...I can never go back to the "old school" type tape measures.

fer da Fat Max

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slickshift

Ha ha...me too
After the first one I bought another and relegated the old style ones to "around the house duty"
I still would rather run out to the van and grab a Fat Max than use the old style, even for household stuff
lol

A+Carpenter

BOOM YOU ARE CORRECT. ALSO IT IS SO THAT IF THE TAPE COMES IN QUICK IT DOES NOT SHATTER THE END.

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A+Carpenter

I RUN WITH A FATMAX 35

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